Rod Laver

In 1966, this famous tennis player got married to Mary Shelby Peterson, a divorcee with three children from her previous marriage. The marriage that took place in California was attended by other tennis players including Ken Rosewall, Barry MacKay, Mal Anderson, and Lew Hoad.

The couple had a son, and they lived in various residences in California.

Several tributes have been paid to this famous Australian tennis player, including the 'Rod Laver Arena' in Melbourne Park, which is named after him.

Rodney George Laver was born to Roy and his wife Melba, in Rockhampton, a city in Queensland, Australia, on August 9, 1938. Roy worked as a butcher, and the family consisted of four children.

The boy was a talented tennis player at a very young age, and quit school to learn the game. He received his training from the legendary tennis player, Harry Hopman, in Queensland. In 1957, Laver had won both the ‘Australian’ and the ‘US Junior’ championships.

In 1959, Rodney competed in the finals of 'Wimbledon', and emerged triumphant at the mixed doubles game, where he teamed up with American counterpart Darlene Hard. However, he could not win the singles final, where he was defeated by Peruvian player, Alex Olmedo.

The following year, he participated in the 'Australian Championships', winning the five-set final match against Australian player Neale Fraser. In 1961, he took part in the 'Wimbledon', and won the singles title for the first time.

In 1962, Laver won seventeen tennis matches, along with four Grand Slam tournaments. This feat was earlier achieved by American former professional player, Donnie Budge.

The most memorable of these tournaments were the 'Italian', 'French' and 'German' Championships. He won the 'French Championships' with a lot of difficulty, against Australian Roy Emerson. At the 'Wimbledon' and the 'US Championships', the same year, he played exceptionally well, losing very few matches.

In December, 1962, Rod won the 'Davis Cup', as a part of the Australian team. This established him as a professional world tennis player, like Lew Hoad, Pancho Gonzales, Ken Rosewall and Andrés Gimeno.

From 1981-85, this accomplished sportsman was included in the 'International Tennis Hall of Fame', and the 'Sport Australia Hall of Fame'. The Australian government has named him the country's 'Living Treasure', and in recent times, he has become a part of the 'Queensland Sport Hall of Fame'.

Rod has been made a 'Member of the Order of the British Empire', and has been felicitated with the 'Australian Sports Medal'.